Passive tamper-resistant seal and applications therefor

ABSTRACT

A ribbon comprises a substrate, and a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) seals on the substrate. Different RFID seals detune in response to differing tensile loads.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/302,958 filed on Nov. 22, 2011, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/081,444 filed on Apr. 16, 2008, now issued under U.S. Pat. No. 8,063,779, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/252,573 filed on Oct. 19, 2005, now abandoned, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/619,692 filed on Oct. 19, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The subject application relates generally to tamper-resistant packaging and in particular, to a passive tamper-resistant seal and applications therefor.

BACKGROUND

Tamper-resistant packaging is well known in the art. In the pharmaceutical industry, containers holding medicines are designed so that when the contents of the containers are accessed, clear visual indications signifying container access are provided.

In other environments, providing such visual tamper-resistance on containers is difficult. As a result, in these environments manual inspection of containers is required. For example, at border crossings and other inspection points, large containers carried by trucks and ships are typically manually inspected. Containers of this nature generally provide no visual indication signifying if the containers have been opened. This of course slows the inspection process as all containers must be inspected.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,747,558 to Thorne et al. discloses a device for sealing and tracking a container. The device includes a bolt which extends through openings in a latch mechanism on the container. The bolt also passes through spaced coils of the device. The device uses one coil to generate a magnetic field, while monitoring the corresponding magnetic field induced in the other coil. Tampering with the bolt affects the magnetic field, which in turn permits the device to detect the tampering. The device periodically transmits wireless signals which can be remotely received for purposes of tracking the container and monitoring the integrity of the device.

Although the Thorne et al. device allows tampering to be detected, it is complicated and costly to manufacture. As will be appreciated, there exists a need for an improved mechanism that allows secure uncompromised containers to be differentiated from compromised containers.

It is therefore an object to provide a novel passive tamper-resistant seal and novel applications therefor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in one aspect there is provided a container comprising a container body; and a seal on at least a portion of the container body, the seal including an antenna and a tag tuned to the antenna, the tag becoming detuned when the antenna is compromised during opening of the container.

In one embodiment, the tag outputs a signature in response to a scanning signal when tuned to the antenna. In particular, the tag resonates in response to the scanning signal when tuned to the antenna and outputs a code unique to the tag. The scanning signal is of a predetermined frequency.

The antenna includes a main antenna portion and at least one break-away portion coupled to the main antenna portion. The at least one break-away portion separates from the main antenna portion when the container is compromised resulting in the tag becoming detuned from the antenna. The at least one break-away portion is coupled to the main antenna portion by one-time break-away contacts.

In one embodiment, the main antenna portion is provided on a door of the container and wherein the at least one break-away portion is provided on a doorjamb of the container.

In another embodiment, the tag and antenna are disposed on a substrate adhered to the container.

According to another aspect there is provided a radio frequency identification seal comprising an antenna including a main antenna portion and at least one break-away portion; and an RFID tag coupled and tuned to the antenna, the RFID tag outputting a signature in response to a scanning signal when tuned to the antenna.

The radio frequency identification seal provides advantages in that a determination can be made as to whether a container has been compromised simply by scanning the RFID seal with a scanning signal of the appropriate frequency. If the container has not been compromised, the RFID seal outputs a unique code in response to the scanning signal. If the container has been compromised resulting in one or more break-away portions being separated from the main antenna portion, the RFID seal will not output the unique code in response to the scanning signal thereby clearly to identify the container as being compromised.

According to another aspect there is provided a ribbon comprising a substrate; and a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) seals on the substrate, different RFID seals detuning in response to differing tensile loads.

In an embodiment, each RFID seal detunes in response to a differing tensile load. In one embodiment, one or more RFID seals comprise an antenna and a tag tuned to the antenna, the tag becoming detuned in response to the differing tensile load. In one embodiment, each tag outputs a signature in response to a scanning signal when tuned to the respective antenna. In an embodiment, each tag resonates in response to the scanning signal when tuned to the respective antenna and outputs a code unique to the tag. In one embodiment, the scanning signal is of a predetermined frequency. In one embodiment, each antenna comprises a main antenna portion and at least one break-away portion coupled to the main antenna portion, the at least one break-away portion separating from the main antenna portion in response to the differing tensile load. In one embodiment, the at least one break-away portion is coupled to the main antenna portion by one-time contacts. In one embodiment, the ribbon comprises a plurality of break-away portions at spaced along locations along the antenna. In another embodiment, the RFID seals are longitudinally oriented on the substrate. In another embodiment, sets of RFID seals are longitudinally oriented on the substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) seal used to secure a container;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the RFID seal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a is an end view of a container showing its door in an open position during installation of the RFID seal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 b is a side view of a portion of the container of FIG. 3 a with the door in a closed position;

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show alternative embodiments of RFID seals used to secure containers;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a container including another embodiment of an RFID seal;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the container portion of FIG. 5 showing the RFID seal in a broken state;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a container including yet another embodiment of an RFID seal;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of a container including a plurality of RFID seals;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a transport truck hauling a trailer having a plurality of containers, each container including an RFID seal;

FIG. 10 shows other vehicles having storage capabilities on which RFID seals can be mounted;

FIG. 11 a shows a station for reading RFID seals mounted on trucks and/or other vehicles;

FIG. 11 b shows structure for reading RFID seals mounted on trucks and/or other vehicles;

FIG. 12 a is a perspective view of a box or carton including an RFID seal;

FIG. 12 b is a schematic diagram of the RFID seal shown in FIG. 12 a;

FIG. 13 shows other boxes or cartons including RFID seals;

FIGS. 14 a and 14 b show further boxes or cartons including RFID seals;

FIGS. 15 a and 15 b show packing material for use in boxes or cartons of the types shown in FIGS. 12 a, 13, 14 a and 14 b including RFID seal antennae;

FIG. 16 shows RFID seals affixed to an aircraft;

FIG. 17 shows an RFID seal affixed to a structural material;

FIG. 18 a shows an RFID seal affixed to a pressure pipe;

FIG. 18 b is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the pressure pipe of FIG. 18 a;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a network scanning system;

FIGS. 20 and 21 show RFID seals affixed to aircraft;

FIG. 22 shows RFID seals affixed to an aircraft undercarriage;

FIG. 23 shows RFID seals affixed to a crane;

FIG. 24 shows RFID seals affixed to a bridge;

FIG. 25 shows RFID seals affixed to a drilling rig;

FIG. 26 is an enlarged view of a submersible support forming part of the drilling rig of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 shows RFID seals affixed to a pressure vessel and to fuel rod casements therein;

FIG. 28 shows RFID seals affixed to a railway dolly;

FIG. 29 shows RFID seals affixed to a wind turbine;

FIG. 30 shows RFID seals affixed to a cargo shipping vessel;

FIGS. 31 a and 31 b show RFID seals affixed to product containers;

FIG. 32 is a flowchart shows the steps of an RFID seal reading method;

FIG. 33 is a block diagram of an RFID seal reading system;

FIG. 34 a is a plan view of a plurality of RFID seals for use in a ribbon;

FIG. 34 b is a plan view of a ribbon comprising the RFID seals of FIG. 34 a;

FIG. 34 c is a cross-sectional front elevation view of the ribbon of FIG. 34 b taken along section line A-A;

FIG. 35 is a plan view of another ribbon comprising the RFID seals of FIG. 34 a;

FIG. 36 is a plan view of a ribbon comprising two sets of the RFID seals of FIG. 34 a;

FIG. 37 is a plan view of three ribbons each comprising a set of the RFID seals of FIG. 34 a;

FIG. 38 a is a plan view of a plate comprising two sets of the RFID seals of FIG. 34 a;

FIG. 38 b shows the plate of FIG. 38 a affixed to expansion control joints;

FIGS. 39 a and 39 b show the ribbon of FIG. 35 affixed to a cord;

FIG. 40 shows ribbons of the type shown in FIG. 35 affixed to a scissor mechanism affixed to a cord;

FIG. 41 shows the cord of FIGS. 39 a and 39 b used to detect movement on the Earth's surface;

FIG. 42 shows the cord of FIGS. 39 a and 39 b used to detect an avalanche and/or landslide;

FIG. 43 shows the cord of FIGS. 39 a and 39 b used to detect an avalanche and/or landslide; and

FIG. 44 is enlarged view of another embodiment of the ribbon of FIG. 35 used to detect over-expansion of a pressurized vessel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) seal used to secure a container, box, carton or other enclosure is shown and is generally identified by reference numeral 10. As can be seen, in this embodiment the RFID seal 10 is generally rectangular and is sandwiched between a pair of cover sheets 14. The outer surfaces of the cover sheets 14 are covered by one time peal-off labels 16. Removal of the labels 16 exposes high-tack adhesive allowing the RFID seal 10 to be affixed to the container.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the RFID seal 10 includes an inner printed electronic layer 20 formed of Kapton-Polymide film. The inner electronic layer 20 is sandwiched between intermediate layers 22 formed of radiolucent conductive spliced polyester/fluoropolymer film. Surrounding the intermediate layers 22 are outer vinyl gel-foam layers 24. The intermediate and outer layers 22 and 24 encapsulate the inner electronic layer 20. Thus, the inner electronic layer 20 is isolated from ecological conditions outside the RFID seal 10.

The inner electronic layer 20 includes an RFID tag 26 and an antenna 28 generally taking the shape of a triangle. The antenna 28 is formed using fine German silver wire and comprises a shielded main antenna portion 30 and a break-away portion 32 coupled to the main antenna portion 30 by one-time, break-away contacts 34.

The RFID tag 26 is tuned to the antenna 28 so that when the RFID tag 26 is scanned by a signal at a predetermined frequency and the antenna 28 is intact, the RFID tag 26 resonates causing the RFID tag 26 to output a code unique to the RFID tag 26.

Although specific intermediate layers 22 are described, those of skill in the art will appreciate that alternatives are available. In another embodiment, the intermediate layers 22 are formed of Gen UV protected spliced film.

During installation of the RFID seal 10 on a container such as a cargo container 36, one of the labels 16 is removed from the RFID seal 10 and the RFID seal 10 is adhered to the inner leading edge of the container door 38 as shown in FIG. 3 a. Once the container 36 has been loaded, the other label 16 is removed from the RFID seal 10 and the container door 38 is closed and pushed tight until the door touches the doorjamb 40 as shown in FIG. 3 b. In this manner, the RFID seal 10 becomes adhered to both the container door 38 and the container body. The outer gel-foam layers 24 help to take up any variances between the door 38 and the doorjamb 40, when the door 38 is closed.

When the door 38 is opened, the one-time contacts 34 break, thereby isolating the break-away antenna portion 32 from the main antenna portion 30. In this case, if the RFID tag 26 is scanned by a signal at the predetermined frequency, the RFID tag will not resonate as the tuning between the antenna 28 and the RFID tag 26 is lost. Hence the RFID tag 26 will not output the unique code. As will be appreciated, the RFID seal 10 allows an inspector to determine very quickly whether the container 36 has been compromised. If the container 36 is packed and sealed at a secure location, scanning the container 36 to determine if the RFID tag 26 outputs the unique code at border crossings and/or other inspection points allows an inspector to determine quickly whether the container 10 requires inspection.

Although the RFID seal 10 is described above as having an antenna 28 that is generally triangular in shape, other antenna configurations are possible. FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show two alternative inner electronic layer designs including different shaped antennas 28 and different break-away contact locations. Also, the RFID seal 10 need not be rectangular in shape. The RFID seal 10 may take on any convenient geometric shape such as square, circular, triangular etc.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a container 50 including an alternative embodiment of an RFID seal 60 is shown. As can be seen, container 50 in this embodiment includes a generally rectangular container body 52 having a door 54 at one end. The door 54 is hinged to the container body 52 allowing the door to swing between open and closed positions. A lock 56 is provided on the door 54 to allow the door to be locked in the closed position.

Similar to the previous embodiment, the RFID seal 60 includes an RFID tag 62 and an antenna 64. The antenna 64 is formed using fine German silver wire and comprises a main antenna portion 66 and a break-away portion 68 coupled to the main antenna portion 66 by one-time, break-away contacts 70. The main antenna portion 66 in this embodiment is latticed throughout the door 54. The break-away portion 68 is adhered to the container body 52 at the doorjamb.

When the door 54 is opened, the one-time, break-away contacts 70 break, thereby isolating the break-away antenna portion 68 from the main antenna portion 66. Thus, if the RFID tag 62 is scanned by a signal at the predetermined frequency, the RFID tag will not resonate as the tuning between the antenna 64 and the RFID tag 62 is lost. Hence the RFID tag 62 will not output the unique code.

During installation of the RFID seal 60, the RFID tag 62 is tuned to the antenna 64 with the break-away antenna portion 68 free of the container doorjamb and coupled to the main antenna portion 66. Once the RFID tag 62 has been tuned, the break-away antenna portion 68 is removed from the main antenna portion 66 and is adhered to the doorjamb of the container body 52. The container 50 is then loaded with goods to be transported. Once the container 50 has been loaded, the door 54 is closed and locked. The one-time, break-away contacts 70 are then formed between the main antenna portion 66 and the break-away antenna portion 68 to complete the antenna 64. The RFID tag 62 is then scanned to confirm that the RFID tag outputs the unique code signifying that the RFID tag remains tuned to the antenna 64.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a container 110 including an RFID seal 120 comprising an RFID tag 122 and an antenna 124. In this embodiment, the antenna 124 includes a main antenna portion 124, a break-away antenna portion 128 a on the doorjamb of the container body 112 as well as a break-away antenna portion 128 b adjacent the lock 116. The break-away antenna portions 128 a and 128 b are coupled to the main antenna portion 124 by one-time, break-away contacts 130. When the door 114 is opened, one or both break-away antenna portions 128 a and 128 b separate from the main antenna portion 126 via the one-time, break-away contacts 130. As a result, the RFID tag 122 becomes detuned and hence, does not output the unique code when scanned.

FIG. 8 shows yet another embodiment of a container 210 including a container body 212, a door 214 and a plurality of RFID seals 220 similar to the RFID seal 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As can be seen, in addition to the door 214, the top, sides and bottom of the container body 212 include RFID seals 220.

Although the above embodiments show the RFID seals used to secure containers, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the RFID seals may be used to secure other containment devices. For example, FIG. 9 shows a transport truck 300 hauling a trailer 302 having containers 310 thereon. Each container 310 has a door 314 including an RFID seal 320 of the type shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 10 shows other vehicles having storage capabilities on which RFID seals can be mounted.

In situations where the RFID seals are used on trucks and/or other vehicles, stations such as that shown in FIG. 11 a may be used to check the integrity of the RFID seals. In this case, RFID reader antennae 350 are mounted on a frame structure 352 through which trucks and/or other vehicles pass allowing RFID seals carried by the trucks and/or other vehicles to be read. The results of the RFID seal reads in this embodiment are transmitted by a wireless transmitter 354 mounted on the frame structure 352 to a central location 356 for verification.

RFID reader antennae 350 may also be placed on highway entrance structures, main roadway lighting poles and entrances/exits to trucking marshalling yards where containers are transferred between vehicles in order to check the integrity of the RFID seals 220 during transport. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 b, the RFID reader antenna 350 is mounted on a roadway structure 360 through which trucks and/or other vehicles pass allowing the RFID seals 220 on the trucks and/or other vehicles to be read. The results of the RFID seal reads are similarly transmitted by a wireless transmitter 354 to a central location 356 for verification. Typically, RFID reader antennae 350 are mounted on various structures over a coverage area and communicate with the central location 356. The RFID reader antennae 350 collectively monitor RFID seals 220 on trucks and/or other vehicles passing through the coverage area to allow container intrusions within the coverage area to be detected quickly.

FIGS. 12 a and 12 b show a container 410 in the form of a box or a carton including an RFID seal 420. In this embodiment, the box 410 is rectangular or square and has a seam 412 separating two flaps 414 defining the top of the box. The RFID seal 420 in this case includes a substrate 421 that is adhered to the top of the box 410 and spans the seam 412. An RFID tag 422 and an antenna 424 are also adhered to the substrate 421. The RFID tag 422 is pre-tuned to the antenna 424. The antenna 424 includes a main antenna portion 426 and a plurality of break-away antenna portions 428 a, 428 b and 428 c at spaced locations along the length of the antenna 424. The break-away antenna portions 428 a, 428 b and 428 c are coupled to the main antenna portion 426 by one-time, break-away contacts 430. Two of the break-away antenna portions 428 a and 428 b span the seam 412. In this manner, when the box 410 is opened along the seam 412 and the RFID seal 420 is torn, one or more of the break-away antenna portions 428 a, 428 b and 428 c separate from the main antenna portion 426 via the one-time, break-away contacts 430. As a result, the RFID tag 422 becomes detuned and thus, provides no output when scanned at the predetermined frequency.

Although the above-embodiment shows the RFID seal being used to secure a square box by engaging the flaps of the box, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the RFID seal may be used to secure other box or carton configurations. For example, FIGS. 13, 14 a and 14 b show other containers incorporating RFID seals. In the embodiments of FIGS. 14 a and 14 b, RFID seals are used to secure retail store merchandise that has been repackaged, rewrapped or re-boxed within the retail store. The customer or reseller can thus, ensure that the merchandise has not been tampered with. In the embodiments of FIGS. 12, 13, 14 a and 14 b, the break-away antenna portions of the RFID seal antennae need not engage the boxes or cartons. Rather, the break-away antenna portions can be incorporated into packing material placed inside the boxes or cartons as shown in FIGS. 15 a and 15 b. In these cases, the break-away antenna portions are coupled to the main antenna portions on the containers so that when the containers are opened, the break-away antenna portions separate from the main antenna portions resulting in the RFID seals becoming detuned.

As will be appreciated, in the above-described embodiments, the RFID seals allow containers to be inspected to determine if a container has been compromised quickly and easily simply by scanning the RFID seals with a signal at the appropriate frequency. Containers whose RFID seals do not output a unique code in response to the scanning signal are immediately recognized as having been tampered with. Decisions to inspect containers can thus be made quickly and accurately increasing the efficiency of inspection points such as border crossings.

While specific examples of containers are shown, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the containers may take virtually any form. Also, while specific reference is made to RFID seals, those of skill in the art will appreciate that other types of passive seals that can be tuned to an antenna and are responsive to scanning signals can of course be used. Furthermore, the RFID seals may be used in other environments to allow access or intrusion to be detected.

For example, FIG. 16 shows RFID seals 220 used to secure an airplane 370. As can be seen, the RFID seals 220 are attached to the outer shell or fuselage of the airplane 370 at access points such as linkages, undercarriage housings, viewing/maintenance access panels, non-access hatches and emergency doors. The RFID seals 220 are affixed to the aircraft in the manner described previously such that when, for example, an emergency door is opened, the break-away antenna portions separate from the main antenna portion via the one-time, break-away contacts. As a result, the RFID seals 220 become detuned thus, providing no output when scanned at the predetermined frequency. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that use of the RFID seals is not limited to aircraft and that the RFID seals may be affixed to virtually any type of vehicle. For example, RFID seals 220 may also attached to the hatch ways, hatch covers and protective housing lids of a boat, cargo shipping vessel or railcar.

While the above examples show the use of RFID seals to secure containers of various forms, vehicles, aircraft etc. to provide an indication of access or intrusion, the RFID seals may also be used in alternative environments. For example, the RFID seals may be applied to structure materials and used to detect failure in such structural materials. As shown in FIG. 17, an RFID seal 500 is affixed to a structural material 502 via a substrate at a location prone to fatigue. Fatigue may take the form of cracks that may lead to dislocation and slow structure separation, protrusions, chevron buckling, hair-line fractures, corrosion notching, skin notching and skin stiffness. In this embodiment, the substrate is coated polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF), which ruptures at 0.03% strain. When the substrate ruptures as a result of fatigue of the structure material 502, the one-time, break-away contacts break, thereby isolating the break-away antenna portion from the main antenna portion as previously described. Thus, when the RFID seal 500 is scanned by a scanning signal at the predetermined frequency, the RFID seal does not resonate and does not output a signature allowing failure in the structural material 502 to be detected.

FIGS. 18 a and 18 b show the RFID seal 500 applied to the inside of a pressure pipe 504 at a location prone to failure and a failure in the pressure pipe 504 at the location of RFID seal application, which may lead to breaking of the one-time, break-way contacts and detuning of the RFID seal 500.

Although a specific substrate form is described, those of skill in the art will appreciate that alternatives are available. In another embodiment, the substrate is formed of a rigid ceramic or mica having a thickness of about 0.5 to 1.00 mm that is covered with a protective coating layer. The substrate in this embodiment ruptures in response to fatigue in the structural material causing the one-time, break-away contacts to break and detune the RFID seal. In yet another embodiment, the substrate is formed of elastomeric, polyamide or acryl-nitric material. As will be apparent the substrate material that is selected depends on the ecological conditions of the application. Also, the substrate need not rupture but rather may be formed of a material that stretches or elongates in response to structural material fatigue resulting in breaking of the one-time, break-away contacts and detuning of the RFID seal. In yet another embodiment, the substrate is formed of a rigid or ceramic or mica having a thickness of about 0.5 to 1.50 mm that is covered with a protective coating layer. The coating layer is a protective polyethylene (PET) or poly-aniline conformal coating layer. In yet another embodiment, the substrate is formed of PET, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) or polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, in certain cases, fatigue may not be visible with the naked eye. Use of RFID seals allows such structural fatigue to be detected early and inexpensively obviating the need for expensive ultrasonic scanning devices.

RFID tag scanning may be performed locally using a hand-held reader or as shown in FIG. 19, using a networked scanning system 600. System 600 comprises RFID readers 602 which output scanning signals to RFID seals affixed to structural material 604. In response, the RFID seals output signatures if no failure is present at their locations when scanned by the readers 602. The readers 602 transmit the read signatures to a fixed repeater terminal 606 that transmits the signatures to a monitoring station 608 over a communications links such as for example the Internet or other suitable wired or wireless network. The monitoring station 608 transmits instructions to the repeater terminal 606, which in turn instructs the readers 602 to output scanning signals to the scan the RFID seals on the structural material 604. Thus, system 600 allows for polling of RFID seals to track failure in structural material 604.

As shown in FIGS. 20 to 22, RFID seals 500 can be used to monitor stress points on airplanes 510 to detect structural fatigue/failures. In FIG. 21, RFID seals 500 are shown strategically placed internally throughout the frame of an airplane 510 at extreme stress locations, e.g wings, fuselage, tail, landing gear, longerons (stringer or stiffener), fin, ailerons, spars and ribs. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, RFID seals 500 are placed at strategic stress locations to detect failure on light airplanes 512 as well as on undercarriages 514 of aircraft.

As shown in FIG. 23, RFID seals 500 may also be used to monitor stress points on cranes 516 to detect structural fatigue/failures. In this application, RFID seals 500 are placed at stress points on the crane, e.g. boom, main trunnion support, gantries, booms, jibs, counterweight, welding joints, welding points and lifting harness.

As shown in FIG. 24, RFID seals 500 may also be used to monitor stress points on a bridge 518 to detect structural fatigue/failures. In this application, RFID seals 500 are placed at possible failure points of the bridge, e.g. main spans, trusses, chords, pad bearings, parapets, parapets beams, expansion joints and road/rail decking.

As shown in FIG. 25, RFID seals 500 may also be used to monitor stress points on drilling rigs 520 for off-shore oil/gas drilling to detect structural fatigue/failures. In this application, RFID seals 500 are affixed to the submersible supports of the drilling rig 520, which are exposed to waves as well as to atmospheric conditions that may cause failure due to corrosion and resulting destructive structural erosion. FIG. 26 shows corrosion on one of the submersible supports of the drilling rig 520 and resulting fatigue. RFID seals may also be affixed to bridge footings and bridge/pier fastening, strapping and anchors where corrosion may also occur.

As shown in FIG. 27, RFID seals 500 may also be used to detect fatigue/failures in boilers 522 and fuel rod casements 524 in nuclear power plants. These areas are in hazardous high radiation zones and cannot be inspected visually without significant personal protective equipment which is time and cost expensive. The RFID seals 500 allow for failure detection without requiring visual inspection. The RFID seals 500 may also be used to detect failures in vaporizing coils, check-valves and funnels.

As shown in FIG. 28, RFID seals 500 may also be used to detect fatigue/failures on railway dolly assemblies 526 at possible fatigue points rather than relying on the conventional and subjective testing method that involves striking the wheel of the railway dolly assembly to detect a failure by noting changes in the resulting vibration tone. The RFID seals 500 may also be used to detect failures in axles, axles-bearings, wheels and springs.

As shown in FIG. 29, RFID seals 500 may also be used to detect fatigue/failure on wind turbines 528. In this application, RFID seals 500 are placed on the wind generators at possible failure points such as those which are subject to low-frequency fatigue strain creep caused by piezo-effect noise, e.g. blades, spindles and stanchions.

As shown in FIG. 30, RFID seals 500 may also be used to detect fatigue/failures on shipping vessels 530 with single or double skins, bulkheads, transverse framing, sheer strakes and longitudinal framing.

The RFID seals may also be used for failure detection in structural material testing. In material testing, failure may be caused by overheating, compression, torsion or tension impact loads. During testing of non-ferrous ductile materials such as, aluminum, copper and plastics, materials may return partially or wholly to their original shapes and thus, failure may not be detected after testing. In impacts involving more brittle ferrous materials, e.g. cast iron, spherulitic graphite (SG) cast iron, hardened steel, forged steel, high strength alloys, ceramics and armor-toughened glass, the failure is typically evident but such is not always the case in impacts involving ductile materials. Affixing RFID seals to these ductile materials prior to testing enables testers to monitor structural failures in ductile materials.

As shown in FIGS. 31 a and 31 b, RFID seals 500 may also be affixed to products 540 for brand and product protection. In this application, RFID seals 500 are affixed to products 540 to ensure consumers are purchasing genuine goods and goods that have not been tampered with. If the product has been tampered with, the RFID seal will become detuned and will not transmit a signature when scanned by an RFID reader. Furthermore, if the product is a counterfeit, the counterfeit product will not carry an RFID seal so no signature will be transmitted when scanned by the RFID reader.

FIG. 32 shows the steps of an RFID seal reading methodology. The method 700 of authenticating a product begins when a user launches a brand recognition application on an electronic device that has an RFID reader (step 702). The user then scans a product with the electronic device such that the RFID reader transmits a scanning signal at a predetermined frequency (step 704). In response, the RFID seal on the product transmits a signature if the RFID seal is intact (step 706). If no signature is received by the RFID reader then the application outputs a message signifying that the product is not authentic or has been tampered with (step 708). If the RFID reader receives a signature, the signature is sent to the manufacturer to obtain an encryption key (step 710). Upon receiving the signature, the manufacturer determines the encryption key and sends the key and a token back to the electronic device (step 712). The electronic device then attempts to decrypt a portion of the signature using the decryption key (step 714). The electronic device determines if the token transmitted by the manufacturer matches the decrypted portion of the signature (step 716). If the token and the decrypted portion of the signature do not match, the device displays a message that the product is not authentic (step 718). If the token and the decrypted portion match, the device displays a message that the product is authentic (step 720).

As shown in FIG. 33, an authentication gateway 750 to which the signature is first transmitted from the electronic device 754 after scanning the product 752 may be employed. In this case, the signature from the electronic device includes manufacturer data, product data as well as the encrypted data. The authentication gateway 750 determines the manufacturer (via a look-up table) from the manufacturer data then transmits the product data to the manufacturer 756. The manufacturer 756 retrieves the encryption key and the token based on the product data (via a look-up table) and transmits the encryption key and token to the authentication gateway 750. The authentication gateway 750 then transmits the encryption key and token to the electronic device 754 as described above.

In the embodiments above, the RFID seals are described and shown to be discrete. RFID seals may however be bundled to provide an indication as to the extent of loading or deformation of the support on which the RFID seals are mounted. For example, FIGS. 34 a, 34 b and 34 c show a ribbon comprising a plurality of RFID seals 800 affixed to an elongate substrate 802 with the various RFID seals 800 being designed to become detuned at different tensile loads. The substrate 802 in this embodiment is a continuous strip of material formed for example of PVDF or other suitable material. Each RFID seal 800 is similar to RFID seal 10 shown in FIG. 45 b and comprises an RFID tag and antenna comprising a shielded main antenna portion and a break-away portion coupled to the main antenna portion by one-time, break-away contacts. The antenna is back vacuum formed or screened onto the substrate. The antenna is formed of an alloy selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, aluminum, nickel, phosphor-bronze, zinc, tin and nickel. A particular alloy is selected for a particular RFID seal 800 to determine the desired tensile load at which that particular RFID seal 800 will become detuned. The conductivity and elongation of these alloys are shown in Table 1 below. The RFID seals 800 are coated with PET or poly-aniline conformal coating. While the RFID seals 800 have been shown as increasing in the thickness in FIG. 34 c, adjacent RFID seals 800 may be thicker or thinner than each other depending on the alloys selected.

TABLE 1 Alloys Conductivity Elongation Silver 105% 30% Copper 100% 32% Aluminum 61% 70% Nickel 22% 35% Phosphor-Bronze 15% 22% Zinc 27% 54% Tin or Nickel 15% 63%

The RFID seals 800 have different tag IDs such that an RFID reader may detect which RFID seal 800 has become detuned. The super heavyweight RFID seal 800 requires a greater tensile load to be placed thereon before the break-away antenna portion thereof separates from the main antenna portion than the heavyweight RFID seal 800 and this follows in descending order for the other RFID seals 800 (light heavyweight, middleweight, welterweight, lightweight and featherweight).

When a tensile load is applied to the ribbon, as the tensile load increases from zero, the substrate 802 undergoes elongation of about 0.01% to 4.00%. As this happens, the various RFID seals 800 will become detuned in graduated order with the featherweight RFID seal becoming detuned first followed by the lightweight RFID seal, then the welterweight RFID seal, then the middleweight RFID seal, then the light heavyweight RFID seal, then the heavyweight RFID seal and finally the super heavyweight RFID seal.

The RFID seals 800 become detuned at various tensile loads due in part to the substrate type and coating on each RFID seal 800. The substrate may range in density from about 0.97 to 1.27 g/mol. As previously described, the substrate used may be PVDF or alternatively PDMS or PEEK. Other substrates are possible and may be determined in accordance with the design considerations known in the art e.g. type, thickness, density, elongation rupture, tensile strength, flexural strength, young's elastic modulus, coefficient thermal stability, dielectric constant and glass temperature. Alternatively, the RFID seals 800 may be disposed on individual sections or tablets of rigid ceramic or mica carried by the substrate at discrete locations, that rupture in response to differing tensile loads depending on thickness. The individual tablets are aligned side-by-side with the RFID seals 800 on the tablets configured to detune at the different tensile loads.

In another embodiment, the substrate is an oxide, alumina or ceria or a non-oxide, carbide or silicide. In another embodiment, the substrate is formed of a polyamides, polyethylene, acrylonitrile, polyvinyl ‘c’, polysulfone, polyetherimide or elastomeric material.

In another embodiment, the substrate is sheet-layer plastics of varying density or ceramics known in the art that is suitable for particular high temperature application and that achieve the different tensile load detune points. In another embodiment, the ribbon 802 is formed of rigid ceramic or mica. In another embodiment, each RFID seal 800 is affixed to individual sections of rigid ceramic or mica in the form of a tablet.

In one embodiment, the coating on the RFID seals is formed of poly-aniline. In one embodiment, attaching adhesive epoxies are used, e.g. silicones, aluminum filled induction cured epoxies, thermal sink compounds and extreme high track bonding epoxies, to attach the RFID seals 800 to the substrate depending on the application.

While the RFID seals 800 have been shown in one configuration on the substrate 802 in FIGS. 34 a and 34 b, one of skill in the art will appreciate that other configurations are possible. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 35, the ribbon comprises RFID seals 804 affixed to an elongate substrate 806 in a longitudinally orientation with the various RFID seals 804 being designed to become detuned at different tensile loads.

In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 36, the ribbon comprises two sets 808 and 810 of RFID seals 812 are affixed to an elongate substrate 814 with the various RFID seals 812 being designed to become detuned at different tensile loads. In this embodiment, the two sets 808 and 810 of RFID seals 812 are oriented such that one set 808 of RFID seals 812 mirrors the other set 810 of RFID seals 812 along a fold line 816. One of skill in the art will however, appreciate that other orientations are possible. In use, the substrate 814 is folded along the fold line 816 and one set 808 of RFID seals 814 is affixed to one surface while the other set 810 of RFID seals 814 is affixed to an adjacent surface. Exemplary adjacent surfaces include an aircraft wing and fuselage, two adjacent surfaces of a girder and a bridge deck and beam etc.

In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 37, three sets 820, 822 and 824 of RFID seals 826 are each affixed to a respective elongate substrate 828, 830 and 832 with the various RFID seals 826 being designed to become detuned at different tensile loads. The three substrates 828, 830 and 832 are joined at a common area 834 in 90° offsets to each other along fold lines 836. In this embodiment, the area 834 is formed of high density PET, PDMS or PEEK. In use, the first substrate 828 is folded along a fold line 836 a and affixed to a first surface, the second substrate 830 is folded along a fold line 836 b and affixed to a second surface and the third substrate 832 is folded along a fold line 836 c and affixed to a third surface. The first, second and third surfaces may be the same surface, adjacent surfaces or combinations thereof.

In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 38 a, the ribbon comprises two sets 840 and 842 of RFID seals 844 affixed to a substrate in the form of a plate 846 with the various RFID seals 844 being designed to become detuned at different tensile loads. In this embodiment, the plate 846 is a mica-calcite fish-plate.

The RFID seals 844 on the plates 846 may be used to detect the tensile load placed on structures. As shown in FIG. 38 b, the plate 846 with RFID seals 844 is riveted to expansion control joints 850. As the tensile load applied to separate or bring together the expansion controls joints 850 increases depending on the magnitude of the tensile load, one or more of the RFID seals 844 on the plate 846 may become detuned and will cease transmitting unique signatures when scanned at the predetermined frequencies. Thus, a reader can detect the movement of the expansion control joints 850 and the extent of the tensile load placed on the expansion control joints based on the number of RFID seals 844 of the plate 846 that respond to scanning signals. The plate 846 may be applied to bridges, arches, carrying beams and structural central loads in longitudinal or transverse orientation.

A handheld reader may be used to detect the increasing tensile loads applied to the plate 846 upon which RFID seals 844 are affixed. Maintenance crew may therefore survey the expansion control joints 850 by scanning the joints 850 with a reader that transmits scanning signals at the various predetermined frequencies for the RFID seals 844.

As shown in FIGS. 39 a and 39 b, the ribbon shown in FIG. 35 may also be used to detect movement in other surfaces. For example, the substrate 806 may be affixed to a cord 860 which is pulled taut between stakes 862. In the event of movement of the stakes 862, tension may be applied to the cord 860 and the resulting elongation or compression, may result in one or more of the RFID seals 804 becoming detuned depending on the magnitude of the applied tension. In this embodiment, the cord 860 is a pre-stretched polyester twisted web non-stretch cord that is heat-set. The cord 860 comprises approximately 20% metal and 80% polypropylene or equivalent.

As shown in FIG. 40, the ribbon shown in FIG. 35 may also be used to detect compression of the cord 860 that is pulled taut between the stakes 826 with the use of a scissor mechanism 872. In this embodiment, the substrate 806 is affixed to cross-ties 870 of a scissor mechanism 872. The cord 860 is a rigid member affixed to the scissor mechanism 872 and the stake 862. The scissor mechanism 872 has springs 876 holding the mechanism 872 in a particular orientation. The cross-ties 870 extend perpendicular to the springs 876. In the event of movement of at least one of the stakes 862 towards the other compression of the rigid cord 860 may occur, which may result in compression of the springs 876. The resulting compression of the springs 876 may result in an elongation of the cross-ties 870 causing one or more of the RFID seals 804 to become detuned depending on the magnitude of the elongation.

The cords 860 shown in FIGS. 39 a, 39 b and 40 may be used to detect movement of the stakes 862 in various scenarios. As shown in FIG. 41, the cord and stakes may be employed to detect seismic movement in the Earth's crust associated with earthquakes. FIGS. 42 and 43 show the cord 860 and stakes 862 employed to detect avalanches and/or landslides.

As shown in FIGS. 39 a and 39 b, scanning signals are transmitted by a polling station 864 at the various predetermined frequencies of the RFID seals 804. The results of the scanning, detection of the signature or not, are then transmitted to a central processing site via the Internet or other wired or wireless communication network, or processed through the Cloud. Handheld scanning may also be performed in the manner already described. In this embodiment, the polling station 864 is a base station reader module such as that sold under the name SkyGate™ by cStar Technologies Inc. of Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. The base station reader module is fitted with multi-frequency readers operating in the LF, HF, UHF and/or SHF domains. The base station reader module can be internally polled or toggled and controlled via Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWAN). The base station reader module polls the RFID seals 804 at a rate of approximately 1 RFID seal per second. If one of the RFID seals 804 is detuned, the base station reader module notes the RFID seal 804 that is detuned and transmits this information or processes it through the Cloud.

In another embodiment, the ribbon 806 may be used to measure heat expansion and contraction in structures in high electromagnetic interference (EMI) environments (e.g. industrial/scientific facilities and nuclear power stations) or other environments as shown in FIG. 44. The RFID seals 804 on the ribbon are separated by individual readers 890, which scan the individual RFID seals 804 to detect the signature of RFID seals 804. If extensive expansion or contraction of a structure to which the ribbon is affixed occurs, one or more of the RFID seals 804 of the ribbon 806 will become detuned depending on the amount of expansion or contraction. The readers 890 transmit signatures output by the RFID seals 804 external to the high EMI environment via a protected cable to a polling station 864. The signatures can then be processed at the polling station 864 or transmitted to another location for further processing or stored in the Cloud. As previously stated, in this embodiment, the polling station 864 is a SkyGate™ base station reader module. The base station reader module is fitted with multi-frequency readers operating in the LF, HF, UHF and/or SHF domains. The base station reader module can be internally polled or toggled and controlled via Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWAN). The base station reader module polls the RFID seals 804 at a rate of approximately 1 RFID seal per second. If one of the RFID seals 804 is detuned, the base station reader module notes the RFID seal 804 that is detuned and transmits this information or stores it in the cloud.

In another embodiment, the readers 890 are shielded to protect them in the EMI environment with shielded coaxial cable and the signals from the readers 890 are transmitted to the polling station 864 via the shielded coaxial cable.

In another embodiment, the ribbon 806 of FIG. 35 is affixed to aircrafts, ships such as tankers, cargo and cruise liners, or submersible crafts. These crafts often have substantially long components. For example, aircrafts are designed with long wings supported by struts to save fuel, and ships and submersible crafts are designed with long keels. The increased length of these components increases the destructive potential of the dynamic aeroelastic phenomena known as flutter. Ribbons 806 affixed to these components allow flutter to be detected early, before the component is significantly damaged, when initial fatigue causes at least one of the RFID seals 804 to become detuned.

In another embodiment, the ribbon 806 of FIG. 35 is affixed to a tubing line. Tubing lines are often manipulated and bent to pass through and within structures. The manipulation and bending may leave tubing lines prone to failure even if double wall (inner wall and outer wall) tubing lines are used. The ribbon 806 is affixed to the tubing line in a longitudinal orientation or wound around the tubing line or elbow cambers. As with previously described embodiments, a polling station in the form of a SkyGate™ base station reader module polls the RFID seals 804 at a rate of approximately 1 RFID seal 804 per second. If one of the RFID seals 804 is detuned, the base station reader module notes the RFID seal 804 that is detuned and transmits this information or stores it in the Cloud.

In another embodiment, the ribbon 806 of FIG. 35 is affixed to pipelines such as, for example, transportation pipelines carrying anhydrous ammonia, natural gas, crude oil, gasoline, diesel fuel and other supplies where manipulated bends and sweeps are erected. As with previously described embodiments, a polling station in the form of a SkyGate™ base station reader module polls the RFID seals 804 at a rate of approximately 1 RFID seal per second. If one of the RFID seals 804 is detuned, the base station reader module notes the RFID seal 804 that is detuned and transmits this information or stores it in the Cloud.

In another embodiment, the ribbon 806 of FIG. 35 is affixed to railway track lines. Railway tracks winding through terrain and up and down valleys are subject to possible track failure. Furthermore, subsiding earth below rail track beds that settle may cause bending and result in track failure. Movement of adjacent tracks may lead to train derailment. The ribbon 806 is affixed to a track segment of the railway rack line and is used detect movement of the track segment to ensure proper maintenance is performed to prevent track failure.

In other embodiments, the various RFID seals and/or ribbons described above may be affixed to a structure via a bonding agent. In this embodiment, the bonding agent is PEEK. The adhesion strength of PEEK was examined using adhesion testing equipment. Performance of PEEK is maintained up to 5200 lbs/in².

In other embodiments, the RFID tag(s) of the various RFID seals described includes a microchip with anti-cloning mechanisms. In this embodiment, the anti-cloning mechanisms comprise an originality signature, password protected memory management and anti-cloning codes. The originality signature is stored in the microchip memory. The signature verifies that the microchip is manufactured by the chip manufacture. In this embodiment, the originality signature is a 32-byte error correction code. The password protected memory management requires a password to read/write to at least a portion of the microchip memory. In this embodiment, manufacturer data stored in memory is password protected to ensure it cannot be read and copied for use in fraudulent systems. The anti-cloning codes are built into incoming/outgoing microchip transmissions. This protects the transmissions from being copied and used in fraudulent systems.

Although embodiments have been described, those of skill in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A ribbon comprising: a substrate; and a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) seals on the substrate, different RFID seals detuning in response to differing tensile loads.
 2. The ribbon of claim 1, wherein each RFID seal detunes in response to a differing tensile load.
 3. The ribbon of claim 2, wherein at least one RFID seal comprises an antenna and a tag tuned to said antenna, said tag becoming detuned in response to said differing tensile load.
 4. The ribbon of claim 3, wherein a plurality of RFID seals comprises an antenna and a tag tuned to said antenna, said tag becoming detuned in response to said differing tensile load.
 5. The ribbon of claim 4, wherein each tag outputs a signature in response to a scanning signal when tuned to said respective antenna.
 6. The ribbon of claim 5, wherein each tag resonates in response to said scanning signal when tuned to said respective antenna and outputs a code unique to said tag.
 7. The ribbon of claim 6, wherein said scanning signal is of a predetermined frequency.
 8. The ribbon of claim 4, wherein each antenna comprises a main antenna portion and at least one break-away portion coupled to said main antenna portion, said at least one break-away portion separating from said main antenna portion in response to said differing tensile load.
 9. The ribbon of claim 8, wherein said at least one break-away portion is coupled to said main antenna portion by one-time contacts.
 10. The ribbon of claim 8, comprising a plurality of break-away portions at spaced along locations along the antenna.
 11. The ribbon of claim 1, wherein the RFID seals are longitudinally oriented on the substrate.
 12. The ribbon of claim 1, wherein two sets of RFID seals are on the substrate, the first set of RFID seals mirroring the second set of RFID seals.
 13. The ribbon of claim 12, wherein the substrate is a plate.
 14. The ribbon of claim 1, wherein two sets of RFID seals are longitudinally oriented on the substrate.
 15. The ribbon of claim 1, wherein each RFID seal is a passive RFID seal.
 16. The ribbon of claim 4, wherein each RFID seal further comprises a coating on the antenna.
 17. The ribbon of claim 1, wherein at least one RFID seal comprises comprising at least one anti-cloning mechanism.
 18. The ribbon of claim 17, wherein the anti-cloning mechanism is selected from the group consisting of originality signature, password protected memory management and anti-cloning codes.
 19. A plurality of ribbons each with in accordance with claim 1 and joined at a common area, wherein each ribbon is offset from an adjacent ribbon.
 20. The plurality of ribbons according to claim 19 comprising three ribbons offset from each other by 90°.
 21. A cord comprising the ribbon of claim 1 affixed to the cord, the ribbon configured to detect tension on the cord.
 22. The cord of claim 21, further comprising at least one stake affixed to an end of the cord.
 23. The cord of claim 22, wherein the tension is caused by seismic movement.
 24. A structure comprising the ribbon of claim 1 affixed to the structure, the ribbon configured to detect heat expansion and/or contraction of the structure.
 25. A vehicle comprising the ribbon of claim 1 affixed to the vehicle, the ribbon configured to detect fatigue.
 26. Tubing or a pipeline comprising the ribbon of claim 1 affixed to the tubing or pipeline, the ribbon configured to detect fatigue in and/or failure of the tubing pipeline.
 27. A railway track segment comprising the ribbon of claim 1 affixed to the track segment, the ribbon configured to detect movement of the railway track segment relative to an adjacent railway track segment. 